Sometimes friends and members of our families can be hard to love, or even to like. As Christians, we know that the Bible teaches us to exhibit love for a broad range of people — our neighbors (Matthew 22:39), other believers (John 13:34), and even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Our friends and family are included within those categories. But often, those closest to us are the hardest to love.
Our first prayer is not for those we find hard to love, but for ourselves. Think of it like the instruction on airplanes, to put your mask on first before helping others. We need to pray to know Christ’s love in our own lives.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You that by believing in your Son, Jesus Christ, my whole life is immersed in Your amazing love. Thank you for demonstrating Your love for me through your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You that I can never be separated from Your love. Help me to remember that Your love is poured into my heart through Your Holy Spirit so I can have victory over all my unloving emotions. I ask You to fill me anew with Your love in the name of Your Son, Jesus and through Your Holy Spirit.
Amen
Just before his death, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment to love one another (John 13:34). There are two things that we need to understand from Jesus’ instruction.
Lord God,
I want to be obedient to the instruction that Jesus gave, to love others believers, even though there are some in my community of faith who are hard to love. I ask through Your grace and power that You will give me the strength to love each one of them. Help me to love deeply, from the heart (1 Peter 1:22), to be pe patient, to make allowance for other’s faults because of Your love (Ephesians 4:2 NLT) to have genuine affection, and take delight in honoring others before myself (Romans 12:10).
Amen.
There are “enemies” — bad and evil people in the world, our countries, communities, and much closer, in our personal lives. Some people, we think – especially those who hurt us and harm the innocent and vulnerable – do not deserve to be loved.
Heavenly Father,
I must admit it is hard to like, let alone love, those people in my life whom I see as not worthy of love. They are responsible for many tragedies and much suffering. Through your Holy Spirit I ask you to give me the strength to learn to love so my behavior is pleasing to you.
Amen.
The ultimate way that we love our friends and family who are hard to love, is to forgive.
Heavenly Father,
I must admit there are people in my life who I find hard to forgive. They have hurt me, treated me badly, and abused me. I don’t feel that they deserve forgiveness. But, Lord, I know you are a fair and gracious judge. Give me strength through You Holy Spirit to forgive so that I can be free from judgment myself and be pleasing to You.
Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for my impatience towards him/her. Help me show patience.
Forgive me for being unkind towards him/her. Give me another opportunity to show kindness.
Forgive me for being jealous towards him/her. Help me to express admiration instead.
Forgive me for being arrogant towards him/her. Give me a spirit of humility.
Forgive me for being rude to him/her. Teach me to be respectful.
Where I have demanded my own way, give me the opportunity to put him/her first.
When I judged him/her, show me how I can give him/her a fresh start.
I ask all these things through the power of Your Holy Spirit and love shown to me through Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
John 12–21
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
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